Observed Signal · Jul 7, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
June 2026 Cable News Ratings: Fox Leads, MS NOW Gains
Adweek published Nielsen Big Data + Panel cable-news ratings for June 2026. Fox News led in total viewers for both primetime (2.26 million) and total day (1.451 million) while ranking third in the Adults 25-54 demo for primetime. MS NOW posted month-over-month and year-over-year gains in several measured categories—becoming the only network with across-the-board year-over-year growth—and averaged 1.015 million primetime viewers. CNN averaged 610,000 primetime viewers and showed declines versus May 2026 and June 2025. The report also lists top-performing programs (The Five, Jesse Watters Primetime, The Rachel Maddow Show, etc.) and program-level A25-54 rankings used by advertisers and buyers.
Monthly Nielsen cable-news ratings inform ad-buying, pricing and advertiser planning for linear TV but do not represent a major platform or policy change.
Track MS NOW Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Fox News averaged 2.26 million primetime total viewers and 197,000 A25-54 viewers in June 2026; total-day averages were 1.451 million and 133,000 respectively.
- MS NOW averaged 1.015 million primetime total viewers and 96,000 A25-54 viewers in June 2026, and was the only network with year-over-year across-the-board growth in the reported comparisons.
- CNN averaged 610,000 primetime total viewers and 97,000 A25-54 viewers in June 2026, with month-over-month and year-over-year declines reported.
- The Five (Fox News) was the most-watched program by total viewers in June with 3.387 million viewers and also led the A25-54 demo with 318,000 viewers.
- Program-level and network-level placements (primetime and total day) and month-over-month and year-over-year percentage changes are reported using Nielsen Big Data + Panel methodology.
Connected Companies & Entities
6 Entities mapped“MS NOW finished in second place in total viewers in primetime and total day, with 1.015 million and 636,000 viewers, respectively, in June....”
“According to Nielsen big data + panel, Fox News had 2.26 million total viewers in primetime and 197,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo in ...”
“During primetime in June, CNN had 610,000 total viewers and 97,000 A25-54 viewers....”
“According to Nielsen big data + panel, Fox News had 2.26 million total viewers in primetime and 197,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo in ...”
“CNBC – Fast Money Halftime Report was the most-watched program in total viewers, with 283,000, as well as in the A25-54 demo, with 70,000 vi...”
“Newsmax – Rob Schmitt Tonight was the network’s top show in total viewers with 298,000, and Carl Higbie Frontline took the top spot in the A...”
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Fox News and MS NOW Lead June 22 Cable Ratings
Adweek’s TVNewser published Nielsen Big Data + Panel national cable-news ratings for the week of June 22, 2026. Fox News averaged 2.223 million primetime viewers (187,000 A25-54) and 1.439 million viewers (126,000 A25-54) in total day; MS NOW averaged 1.025 million primetime viewers (86,000 A25-54) and 649,000 total-day viewers (59,000 A25-54). CNN averaged 622,000 primetime viewers (85,000 A25-54) and 446,000 total-day viewers (57,000 A25-54). Week‑over‑week percentage changes and year‑over‑year comparisons were reported for each network. Fox News occupied most spots on the weekly most‑watched programming list (The Five led with 3.303 million viewers). The report notes primetime viewership declines across networks for the week, citing seasonal factors and FIFA World Cup viewing as possible influences.
MS NOW Only Cable News Network Growing Across All Dayparts
Adweek’s TVNewser publishes Nielsen Big Data + Panel ratings for the week of June 1, 2026. MS NOW was the only basic cable news network to post gains in both total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo across primetime and total day. Fox News remained the highest in overall viewers for many dayparts (including 1–3 a.m. ET) and dominated the weekly most-watched program chart, while CNN posted week-over-week gains as well. The report lists Nielsen averages: Fox News led primetime with 2.3 million total viewers (203,000 A25-54); MS NOW had 976,000 primetime total viewers (102,000 A25-54); CNN had 637,000 primetime total viewers (116,000 A25-54). The piece also compares year‑over‑year changes and program-level rankings for the week.
Cable News Ratings Rise Week of July 13, 2026
From July through September 2026, cable news viewership declined as the news cycle slowed, with all major networks experiencing month-over-month and quarter-over-quarter drops. Fox News remained the most-watched network, averaging 2.064 million primetime viewers in Q3, but suffered a 17% year-over-year decline. In September, Fox's primetime viewers fell to 1.717 million (down 19% from August), with a 42% yearly drop in the week of September 7. MSNBC, referred to as MS NOW, was the only network with year-over-year gains in both total viewers and A25-54 demo, increasing 16% in primetime total viewers and 37% in total day demo; in the week of September 14, it rebounded with 33% primetime viewer gains and 47% demo gains. CNN also showed yearly growth (up 13% in primetime total viewers) and gained 13% in primetime viewers that week. However, all networks saw yearly declines in total viewers except MSNBC and CNN, which grew slightly. Top programs included 'The Five', leading with 3.146 million total viewers, and 'Hannity', 'The Rachel Maddow Show', and 'CNN NewsNight' ranking high on their networks. The data, based on Nielsen big data + panel, sets the stage for Q4 as networks prepare for midterm elections and sports programming.
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.